NNSA conducts Las Vegas aerial survey

NNSA is conducting an aerial survey of portions of the Las Vegas Valley. The purpose of the flyovers is to measure naturally occurring background radiation.

A twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter, operated by the Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System in Las Vegas, is equipped with gamma radiation sensing technology. The helicopter flies at a speed of approximately 80 miles per hour over various portions of the Valley at multiple attitudes.

The flyovers are a part of a research project sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security’s Domestic Nuclear Detection Office (DNDO). The helicopter is scheduled to fly over the Las Vegas Valley for the next few years.

The background data will be used by DNDO to improve aerial radiation measurement capabilities used by local, state and federal entities.

About the photo:A twin-engine Bell 412 helicopter, operated by the Remote Sensing Laboratory Aerial Measuring System in Las Vegas, was seen yesterday on the Las Vegas Strip. NNSA and DNDO alert the public of the upcoming flights so that citizens who see the low-flying aircraft are not alarmed.